Putting "estimated" or an asterisk may be sufficient, but not necessarily in regards to deceptive advertising. Worse, not all Powerball jackpot advertising even includes those elements...

For example, see NY Lottery website. http://nylottery.ny.gov/ - "NEXT JACKPOT:$900MILLION". Notice what's not included next to the $900 million. No "estimate", no asterisk, nothing. At first glance, it appears the Powerball jackpot is definitely $900 million. And that's just one example out of many.

You get the estimated amount only if you take the annuity. If you take lump sum, you get a one-time cash payment of what the lottery would have invested on your behalf to generate the annuitized value over 29 years.

Federal tax of 25% and part of the state taxes is withheld from the payment. When you file your 1040 tax form, you will have to pay the difference. That would be 14.6% (federal maximum tax of 39.6% - 25% which was deducted from payment) plus remaining state and or local taxes.

Any way you look at it, you will end up with about 51-60.4% of whichever payment method you choose.

The Meatman

“The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it in your back pocket.” Will Rogers

I'm hoping that those wanting to see a super-humongous single winning ticket will have a wicked curve thrown at them tonite. In what way, you ask?

Simple -- let there be at least 10 winning tickets and possibly as many as 20 winners when it's all done. Of course, I'd like to be one of those 10 to 20 lucky winners.

I'm sure that other posters have posted up sound advice for those lucky enough to win all or a part of the PowerBall Grand Prize elsewhere, but if not minded I think it's only fair to give it out again.

If you win --

»1» Don't tell anyone other than your legal and financial advisors. If you're part of an office pool or family group who are sharing the winning ticket with you, then they are the only non-legal folks who need to know

»2» Establish a legal trust (either for yourself alone or with those mutually agreeing to share the prize). In many states, a trust may help to to keep you (and others) anonymous, thus protecting your identity. Of course you should always check out the specific rules in play for the state where you are claiming your winning ticket.

»3» Spend no more than 10% (less than that would be great) of your after taxes share within the first year. At least 65% of what is not spent should go into special reserve accounts, while at least 35% of what is not spent should go into a cash flow account. The purpose of the cash flow account is to place a fixed amount of money into regular bank accounts each month. Your lifestyle should be simple, non-extravagant and a rigidly fixed flow of cash should help keep you on a straight and narrow path.

Inquiring minds are wondering if Marie Holmes is blowing the rest of her Mega Millions winnings in an effort to win Powerball?!

Get MONEY!!! Winning a JACKPOT lottery is all the HOPE and CHANGE I desire!!! NOW give me MONEY!

The guy who won the presidency in 2008 really won the lottery...he is now millions richer, travels in first class style, and even has a staff that would be the envy of the richest Powerball winner (she has a staff of 2). Every night he goes to sleep, he probably plays the close of Dave Chappelle's Show: I'm rich beyatch!

If you take the lump sum, they take 25% out in taxes before you even get it, then the following April, it's something like another 15%, provided you live in a state with no taxes or one that doesn't tax lottery winnings and provided you're the only winner, you come home with roughly $355,725,000. I don't know about anyone else, but I wouldn't complain.

Texas lottery official said the "billion" word. Gary Grief has said on CNN with Poppy Harlow that if it rolls then a conservative estimate would be $1.3 Billion dollars for Wednesday night. I think he is being too conservative. I guess that is normal for lottery officials.

I'm hoping that those wanting to see a super-humongous single winning ticket will have a wicked curve thrown at them tonite. In what way, you ask?

Simple -- let there be at least 10 winning tickets and possibly as many as 20 winners when it's all done. Of course, I'd like to be one of those 10 to 20 lucky winners.

I'm sure that other posters have posted up sound advice for those lucky enough to win all or a part of the PowerBall Grand Prize elsewhere, but if not minded I think it's only fair to give it out again.

If you win --

»1» Don't tell anyone other than your legal and financial advisors. If you're part of an office pool or family group who are sharing the winning ticket with you, then they are the only non-legal folks who need to know

»2» Establish a legal trust (either for yourself alone or with those mutually agreeing to share the prize). In many states, a trust may help to to keep you (and others) anonymous, thus protecting your identity. Of course you should always check out the specific rules in play for the state where you are claiming your winning ticket.

»3» Spend no more than 10% (less than that would be great) of your after taxes share within the first year. At least 65% of what is not spent should go into special reserve accounts, while at least 35% of what is not spent should go into a cash flow account. The purpose of the cash flow account is to place a fixed amount of money into regular bank accounts each month. Your lifestyle should be simple, non-extravagant and a rigidly fixed flow of cash should help keep you on a straight and narrow path.

That's about it. Thanx-A-Lot and best of luck to all, Frank0Sport16

Howdy Frank

Wicked curve ball at all those dreamers? Ouch Frank

So it's simple- can you back that up with some facts and figures... 10-20 seems kinda high to me